How Louisville plans for Kevin Ware to cut down the nets

Apr. 8, 2013
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Louisville fans cheer while holding up signs referring to injured guard Kevin Ware (not pictured) before the championship game of the men's NCAA tournament at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. / Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY Sports

by Rachel George, USA TODAY Sports

by Rachel George, USA TODAY Sports

ATLANTA - Kevin Ware can't climb a ladder, but the Louisville guard will be able to cut down the nets if his team wins a national title tonight.

The NCAA has several contingency plans in place to accommodate Ware, who broke his leg eight days ago in the Midwest Regional final vs. Duke.

"We're going to lower the baskets," said David Worlock, the NCAA's associate director for championships and alliances and the media coordinator for the Division I championship. "We're prepared for whatever Louisville would like to do."

The top-seeded Cardinals (34-5) face fifth-seeded Michigan (31-7) in the NCAA championship at 9:23 p.m. here in the Georgia Dome.

A special ladder was been made for the Final Four's 75th anniversary, but Ware will get to cut down the nets without it. If Louisville wins, at least one of the baskets will be lowered after camera equipment is removed.

Louisville will dictate where in the order Ware would take his turn in the annual rite for the NCAA champion. Since suffering a compound fracture a week ago â?? an injury that caused his bone to break skin and required emergency surgery â?? Ware has become a national celebrity.

Louisville's Final Four appearance got Ware back here, where he played high school basketball. His composure in telling his teammates to win the regional final as they were overcome with emotion and tears has made him a central storyline in the Cardinals' run.

The rest of his teammates will have a chance to cut the nets down on a commemorative ladder made by the NCAA's partner, Werner. One side of the ladders includes an engraved plate for each national championship team.

"What we wanted to do was capture the history or capture the moments," said Chris Filardi, the company's vice president of marketing.

The 9-foot ladder is made to accommodate net cutting. The company doesn't make any others that height.

The winning team will have a plate added for their run and receive the ladder. Another will be sent to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.